Klopp given two reasons why Liverpool should not re-sign ‘special’ Mane as attacking duo ‘need time’

Lewis Oldham 25 Apr 2023 10:55 AM

Jurgen Klopp has been told that he should not pursue a move for Sadio Mane this summer even though the Bayern Munich star was “special” for Liverpool.

Mane exceeded expectations at Liverpool to firmly establish himself as a club legend. He netted 120 goals and 269 games for the English club as he helped them win the Premier League and Champions League.

The Senegal international left Liverpool last summer as Bayern Munich snapped him up for around £27m plus add-ons.

This move has not gone to plan and Bayern Munich will ‘try everything’ to sell him this summer. Earlier this month, he was suspended and fined after having a fight with ex-Man City star Leroy Sane.

The forward is said to be ‘aching’ for a return to Liverpool but they are well-covered in attacking areas. Roberto Firmino is set to leave in the summer but they will still have Mo Salah, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.

Ex-Reds player Kolo Toure thinks his former club have missed Mane this season as he was “special for them”.

But the former Premier League winner thinks the recent additions of Nunez and Gakpo mean Liverpool do not need to bring Mane back.

“Jurgen is a top manager,” Toure told The Mirror. “He’s been winning in Germany; he’s been winning here. Every club will go through a transition moment.

“I think losing [Sadio] Mane was big for them… Mane, for me, was special for them because he could score goals and provide goals, but he also had a big personality. He’s a player that when it was tough, he was able to make the difference.

“But I still believe they are looking for the new version [of Liverpool]. Jurgen is looking to refresh his team and look for players who are going to fit well in the team. But I’m sure he will do that because he’s a guy who’s got great experience; great man-management.

“I had a great time with him, and I believe he will find a way again to bring the team to fight for the title again.”

Toure added: “I think he will stick with [Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo]. He needs to give them time to show they are capable to fit into the Liverpool team. As a player, you have to do your best to show you are capable of performing for them. If you don’t, it’s going to be the next one [player].

“Jurgen is a great manager; he’s doing a great job. I think he’s trying to find players who are going to have the chemistry to keep the team fighting for the title.”

Liverpool Kolo Toure